TASHKENT, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition on higher education in China that opened here this week witnessed a large influx of visitors showing increasing interest in the Chinese education system, among them many Uzbek students.
Some of the visitors to the exhibition, where 30 leading higher educational institutions of China were represented, such as Tsinghua University and Wuhan University, shared their impressions of the exhibition and their plans for the future.
Shakhnoza Bakhromova, 18, who studies at the Academic Lyceum of the Nizami Pedagogical University in Tashkent, said that nowadays, the Chinese language is becoming increasingly popular among young Uzbeks.
She believed it is partly due to various products from China, ranging from clothing and shoes to electronics that are entering the daily lives of the Uzbek people.
"I want to get acquainted with Chinese universities here, get the necessary information and choose one of them for admission," Bakhromova said. "I am attracted to study in China."
Amirkhon Norkhuzhayev, a third-year student at the Faculty of Sinology at the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, said he is willing to continue his studies in China, and learn international and Chinese law in the field of business.
"Today, a lot of Chinese companies are operating in ... Uzbekistan, be it trade, production of goods or tourism," he said. "But here they encounter difficulties associated mainly with knowledge of the local language and legislation. I want to help entrepreneurs, businessmen of China and Uzbekistan in overcoming these problems."
Another student at the Polytechnic University, Bakhtier Isamutdinov, said that he is studying Chinese at a foreign language teaching center.
"I intend to continue my studies in China and become a master of Chinese cuisine," the young man said. "After completing my studies, I plan to live in China for several years, work in a public catering system, and then return to Uzbekistan and open a Chinese restaurant for local residents and tourists."
Li Meihua, dean of the College of International Education at China's Jilin University, informed visitors about the learning conditions, school accommodations and scholarships.
Founded in 1946, the university has established educational cooperation and exchange mechanisms with about 300 universities and research organizations from 39 countries.
"In 2018, about 2,500 students from 115 countries, including from Uzbekistan, were accepted to Jilin University," said the dean. "Students from Uzbekistan are very hard-working. They study hard, (and) have good moral qualities. After our visit to Tashkent, new young people will join them."
According to China's Ministry of Education, by the end of July, about 6,500 students from Uzbekistan were studying in Chinese universities.
